Former housing minister Mark Prisk called for a review of the classification of distribution warehouses for online-only retailers to make business rates calculations fairer and help level the playing field between the likes of Amazon and high street retailer

Amazon Leeds warehouse

Amazon Leeds warehouse

Source: Clare Louise Jackson

Former housing minister Mark Prisk called for a review of the classification of distribution warehouses for online-only retailers to make business rates calculations fairer and help level the playing field between the likes of Amazon and high street retailers.

Fast-forward to November 2022, and the release of a draft central rating list based on April 2021 rent valuations left Amazon facing rates hikes of up to 89% on some warehouses, after the logistics sector boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Amazon recently earmarked three UK fulfilment centres for closure, but also plans to open two larger facilities.

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